The Ministry of Sports through Pauline Sheghu, the Head of Communications on Monday responded to the criticism of the newly unveiled ceremonial kit for the Paris Olympics.
Sheghu while speaking to Kenyans.co.ke explained that the kits were selected after a thorough and fair process conducted by the Ministry. Over 120 designs were submitted to the Ministry.
She explained that the Ministry of Sports had a committee, that was formed to evaluate the submitted designs. The former KBC journalist emphasised that the process was fair and the kit was chosen after a competitive process.
The media practitioner also revealed that Kenya's top designers also judged the designs submitted before a decision was made.
"Approval and selection of winners was with blessings from top designers, so yes, it underwent thorough sifting," she remarked.
Sheghu added that besides the designers and the committee, journalists, and athletes were involved in the search for the perfect design. She reiterated that the media was selected to exercise its watchdog role in the selection process.
The veteran journalist also revealed that the signed kits were also included in the demands made by Para-athletics sportsmen and women.
"The Ministry's role was to create a platform for creatives to exercise their creative cog and facilitate the design process with no interference at all," she concluded.
Her statement came after the kits were unveiled on Friday, and a section of Kenyans accused Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba of failing to select a suitable design to represent Kenya.
NTV journalist James Smart argued that the kits did not fit Kenya's image adding that the designers were sabotaging Kenya with the 'hideous' outfits.
"While we are very busy repairing the Kenyan image, some saboteurs, enemies of the people, did this. What is the hideousness is this? Who's responsible?" he posed.
Despite the criticism, the Ministry and others involved in the selection of the kit have emphasised that the kit meets the required standards. The kit selected checked several boxes including decent, contemporary and the Magical Kenya mantra.
CS Ababu Namwamba also stated that the process was fair and inclusive of all stakeholders.
